Bioacoustics of Malayopython reticulatus

Remarks. There has been debate as to the correct genus-group name for which to assign this species (e.g., Kaiser et al. 2013 ; Reynolds et al. 2014). As we follow the taxonomic framework of the Reptile Database (see Methods), we follow the assignment of this species to Malayopython . Malayopython reticulatus is a very common species that can be found in all habitats throughout Singapore and even frequents highly urbanised areas ( Baker & Lim 2012 ), canals ( Lee 2021 ; Zheng 2021b), buildings and homes (Sworder 1923; Xu & Morgany 2016; Zheng 2018a; A. Tan 2019a; Tee 2019a; Thiagarajan 2020b; Kwa 2023 ), toilets ( Lay 2021d ), major roadways (Yeo 2019; Anonymous 2020 ; Lay 2021a ), and even entering cars (Thiagarajan 2020a; Lui 2021 ; Daud 2022 ). Given its feeding preference for mammals, it is well-known that M. reticulatus is attracted to the abundance of rats in urban areas, as demonstrated by a python that regurgitated a rat while being rescued from a drain at an unknown location on 7 March 2021 ( Koay 2021 ). However, numerous cases of pythons feeding on domestic pets, particularly cats (Daud 2017, 2018; Toh 2018; A. Tan 2019b, c; How 2022 ; Lay 2020 , 2021e , 2022c ; Zheng 2018b, 2019 a, d, 2020b ; Thiagarajan 2020e), and dogs ( Ishak 2021 ) have been reported. One notable observation was video recorded recently and shows a python feeding (then regurgitating) a cat on the side of a busy road ( Lay 2022b ). Indeed, a map provided by Devan-Song et al. (2017) illustrates the urban distribution of M. reticulatus throughout Singapore . Numerous predation events on M. reticulatus by Ophiophagus hannah have also been documented ( Ambede 2015 ; He 2015 ; Lay 2017a ; Sankar et al. 2021; A. Tan 2021c, e), and so has scavenging by Varanus salvator ( Lay 2021c ; G.Z. Tan 2021). Malayopython reticulatus was first reported from Singapore by Anonymous (1826) who points out that they were “improperly called the boa constrictor ” as in the story recounted in Anonymous (1839) where a python measuring “thirty feet in length and four in circumference” was killed while “cutting through the jungle for a road across the Island ”. Another account also noted pythons reaching “the enormous length of 30 feet ” ( Little 1848 ), but the largest pythons ever recorded from Singapore is a stuffed specimen in ZRC measuring “ 22 ft. ” ( 6.7 m ) (Hanitsch 1908), which is likely the one Dennys (1879a) kept captive at the Raffles Museum, and another that measured “ 16 feet ” ( 4.8 m ) ( Harman 1961 ). Although, M. reticulatus is known for reaching lengths of up to 10 m ( Baker & Lim 2012 ), current data suggests this species does not grow much larger than 4 m nowadays in Singapore (M.-R. Low unpub. data). Unlike in other countries where M. reticulatus is heavily harvested for meat and for its skin (Natusch et al. 2016), pythons in Singapore appear to not be poached. As common as M. reticulatus is (Sworder 1923; Baker & Lim 2012 ), few specimens were collected early in history. Cantor (1847b) described one being shot from the poop deck of a ship and whose head was covered with mites, Jan (1863) examined one at MCNM, one was deposited at NHMUK ( Boulenger 1893 ), two at SMF ( Boettger 1898 ), and the Raffles Museum contained an unknown number of specimens ( Blanford 1881 ; Hanitsch 1912b ). Most specimens currently deposited at LKCNHM are from more recent times. After Sworder (1924a) caught one on PU, M. reticulatus went unreported for 37 years until Harman’s (1961) record. Occurrence. Widespread. Common.